By late Sunday afternoon, Patrick Christovich may well be golfed out. By that time, Christovich probably will have played 162 holes of competitive golf in a nine-day span.

The defending Louisiana Golf Association State Amateur champion will tee it up in this year’s event beginning Thursday at Southern Trace Country Club in Shreveport. The 72-hole tournament ends Sunday and Christovich, from New Orleans, appears to be at the top of his game.

He’s sure played enough. Beginning last Friday, Christovich competed in the Birmingham National Invitational at the Country Club of Birmingham. The 54-hole mid-amateur event concluded Sunday and he finished tied for sixth.

Then it was on to Ball Ground, Ga., and the U.S. Open Sectional qualifier at the Hawks Ridge Golf Club. Christovich shot 1-under-par 143 in the 36-hole one-day event, known as golf’s longest day. He missed qualifying for next week’s U.S. Open by eight shots.

After a trip home Tuesday, it was on to Shreveport on Wednesday for a practice round for the 94th edition of the state amateur. He’ll tee off Thursday in the first round at 12:45 p.m.

And if that wasn’t enough, Christovich has a newborn baby at home. But the 34-year-old Country Day alum said he doesn’t feel that tired. After winning his first state amateur title last year at TPC Louisiana, he said he’s ready to defend.

“I’m excited about it,’’ Christovich said. “I thought I’d be a little more tired. (Tuesday) was a good rehab day. I’m going to play late Wednesday in Shreveport. A day and a half of recovery seemed to do the trick.’’

That could be bad news for the rest of the field. After a stellar year in 2012, Christovich continues to play well. And a balky back that troubled him in 2012 is better, he said.

Christovich dominated the 2012 tournament, winning by five strokes over Brandt Garon of Baton Rouge and Brandon Aydlett of Metairie. Last year’s event was shortened to 54 holes because of rain.

It was, perhaps, the pinnacle of 2012 for Christovich when he also won his third straight LGA Mid-Amateur title, The Mackel, and qualified for the round of 64 in the U.S. Mid-Am in Chicago.

Though Southern Trace is different from TPC Louisiana, Christovich said he is comfortable on it. The Arthur Hills-designed course will be set up for the state amateur to play about 6,800 yards. It features Bermuda greens and, unlike TPC Louisiana, elevation changes.

“I won my first (state) mid-am there,’’ Christovich said. “It was the first real tournament that I won was there. And I played a Southern Am qualifier there a couple of years ago and played well. I like the layout. The course is always in great shape, a great facility so I enjoy it. You have to shape it around the trees a little bit and hit a lot of fairways to play it well.’’

LSU sophomore Myles LewisLSU Athletics

But as well as Christovich is playing, he will have staunch competition. Several state college golfers are entered, including Grady Brame Jr. from Southeastern Louisiana University and Myles Lewis, a Jesuit graduate who just completed his sophomore year at LSU.

Lewis tied for fourth last year and Brame Jr. tied for eighth. Garon and Aydlett are also in the field.

“I think (being the defending champion) puts a target on my back,’’ Christovich said. “From some of the guys my age and some of the younger players who are hungry for that win. But I enjoy that. It gives me something else to push me. Before, I was chasing players. Now I’m chasing and being chased. It keeps you fresh and keeps your mind in it. Makes you push a little harder.’’

Christovich won’t get much rest after the state am. He’ll compete in the Northeast Amateur at the Wannamoisett Country Club in Rhode Island on June 18-22. He’ll also play in the Southern Amateur and a qualifier for the U.S. Amateur later this summer.

His top goal of the year is to earn a spot on the Walker Cup team, the Ryder Cup equivalent for amateurs.

There are two spots on the Walker Cup team for mid-amateurs and Christovich is in contention.

“There are so many good (mid-amateur players) out there to get that spot,’’ Christovich said. “The Northeast Amateur is going to be a big event for that. Between the Northeast, Southern and qualifying for the U.S. Am, those will be the three big tournaments. If I play well in the Northeast and the Southern, then I’ll continue on and play in the Western (Amateur) and try to lock up that (Walker Cup) spot.’’